The Runaway Queen (The Bane Chronicles 2)

"As for your payment . . . "

These words drew Magnus back in.

"The matter of payment is quite simple," Magnus said. "I require no money-"

"Monsieur," Axel said, leaning forward, "you do this as a true patriot of France!"

"I do this," Magnus continued calmly, "to develop our friendship. I ask only to see you again when the thing is done. "

"To see me?"

"To see you, monsieur. "

Axels shoulders drew back a bit, and he looked down at his plate. For a moment Magnus thought it was all for nothing, that he had made the wrong move. But then Axel looked back up, and the candlelight flickered in his blue eyes.

"Monsieur," he said, taking Magnuss hand across the table, "we shall be the closest of friends evermore. "

This was precisely what Magnus wanted to hear.

On Sunday morning, the day of the escape, Magnus woke to the usual clamor of church bells ringing all over Paris. His head was a bit thick and clouded from a long evening with the Count de -- and a group of actors from the Comedie-Italienne. It seemed that during the night he had also acquired a monkey. It sat on the footboard of his bed, happily eating Magnuss morning bread. It had already tipped over the pot of tea that Claude had brought in, and there was a pile of shredded ostrich feathers in the middle of the floor.

"Hello," Magnus said to the monkey.

The monkey did not reply.

"I shall call you Ragnor," Magnus added, leaning back against the pillows gently. "Claude!"

The door opened, and Claude came in. He did not appear in the least bit surprised about Ragnors presence. He just immediately set to work cleaning up the spilled tea.

"Ill need you to get a leash for my monkey, Claude, and also a hat. "

"Of course, monsieur. "

"Do you think he needs a little coat as well?"

"Perhaps not in this weather, monsieur. "

"Youre right," Magnus said with a sigh. "Make it a simple dressing gown, just like mine. "

"Which one, monsieur?"

"The one in rose and silver. "

"An excellent choice, monsieur," Claude said, getting to work on the feathers.

"And take him to the kitchen and get him a proper breakfast, will you? Hell need fruit and water, and perhaps a cool bath. "

By this point Ragnor had hopped down from the foot of the bed and was making his way toward an exquisite Sevres porcelain vase, when Claude plucked him up like hed been monkey-plucking all his life.

"Ah," Claude added, reaching into his coat, "a note came for you this morning. "

He made his quiet exit with the monkey. Magnus tore open the note. It read:

There is a problem. It is to be delayed until tomorrow.

-Axel

Well, that was the evenings plans ruined.

Tomorrow was Saint Clouds party. Both of these obligations needed to be met. But it could be done. He would take his carriage to the edge of the Tuileries palace, attend to the business with the queen, get back into the carriage, and get to the party. Hed had busier nights.

And Axel was worth it.

Magnus spent far more of the next day and evening worrying about Saint Clouds party than about his business with the royal family. The glamour would be easy. The party would likely be fraught and uncomfortable. All he had to do was put in an appearance, smile, and chat for a bit, and then he could be on his way. But he couldnt escape the feeling that somehow this evening was going to go wrong.

But first, the small matter of the queen.

Magnus took his bath and dressed after dinner, and then quietly left his apartments at nine, instructing his driver to take him to the vicinity of the Tuileries garden and return at midnight. This was a familiar enough trip. Many people went to the garden for a "chance encounter" amongst the topiaries. He walked around for a bit, making his way through the shadowy garden, listening to the snuffling noises of lovers in the shrubbery, occasionally peeking through the leaves to have a little look.